Dengue Insurance

Dengue is a viral disease that is prominent in tropical and subtropical terrain. Spread through a mosquito named Aedes Aegypti, this disease manifests in the form of a fever and body ache. Close to four billion people across the world live in areas with a high incidence of Dengue.

When a person is bitten by the infected mosquito, the symptoms of Dengue fever begin to present themselves. It may take up to a fortnight for such symptoms to present themselves. Amongst the prominent symptoms of Dengue are high fever, muscle ache, and fatigue.

One of the things that makes this viral infection an extremely dangerous disease is the severe Dengue platelet count drop. If said count reduces to an unacceptable level, Dengue can be fatal.

A viral infection, Dengue is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito (to a lesser extent, even the Ae. Albopictus mosquito).

A virus of the Flaviviridae family (the Flavivirus genus comprises deadly viruses like West Nile, Yellow Fever and Tick-Borne Encephalitis) is the cause of Dengue and is called the Dengue Virus (DENV). The mosquito, infected by the virus, bites the human and transmits the Dengue infection.

There are four main strains of the Dengue virus without cross immunity:

• DENV 1
• DENV 2
• DENV 3
• DENV 4

For ensuring Dengue prevention and knowing when to get tested for the infection, you must be aware of the common symptoms of the ailment. These symptoms include —

• High fever
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting
• Severe fatigue
• Bleeding in the nose and gums
• Rashes on the skin

Should you experience any of the symptoms of Dengue, you must get tested for the infection without any delay. As important as Dengue prevention is, timely diagnosis and the onset of treatment are critical for your recovery.

Any delay in Dengue treatment can lead to severe cases of the lethal Dengue platelet count reduction.

Since almost half of the world's populace lives in areas with a high risk of Dengue outbreak, it is important to educate yourself on not just the symptoms but also the types of this vector-borne disease. There are three main types of Dengue:

1. Mild Dengue Fever: Considered to be the mildest case of a Dengue infection, a Mild Dengue Fever is characterised by symptoms such as severe fever, muscle ache, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms usually start developing a week after the mosquito bite causing the infection.

2. Dengue Shock Syndrome: This type of Dengue fever is marked by symptoms such as high fever, shock, and a fall in blood pressure. Not only is this type of Dengue fever physically debilitating, but it can also cause shock. Another symptom of Dengue Shock Syndrome is respiratory issues.

3. Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever: Although commonly mistaken for viral fever, Dengue can be life-threatening, and, if left untreated, even a mild fever can develop into a Haemorrhagic Fever. It is, therefore, critical not to ignore the symptoms of Dengue and seek medical help as soon as possible.

Now that we have discussed the causes of Dengue as well as its most prominent symptoms and types, it is important to discuss the course of action to be undertaken should the symptoms of the infection develop.

Here are the medical ways through which a diagnosis of Dengue can be confirmed before Dengue treatment:

1. Simple blood test: The presence of the Dengue virus in your blood can be easily detected through a normal blood test. There is no fasting required for such a test, and the diagnosis is swift as well.

2. Immunoglobulin M Test: This test is conducted to detect the presence of a Dengue-specific antibody named Immunoglobulin M in your body. If you get tested within three days of getting infected, there is a 50% chance of this antibody being detected. These odds increase to 99% ten days after the infection.

3. Dengue RNA PCR Test: This blood test is another way to diagnose Dengue and can yield results as soon as five days after the initial symptoms start manifesting.

4. NS1 Antigen Test****bold text: Centred around the detection of Dengue antigens in the blood, the NS1 Antigen Test is a highly accurate and swift method of diagnosing vector-borne disease. Since antigens develop within two days of an infection, this test can be taken as soon as you start developing the symptoms of Dengue.

5. Immunoglobulin G Test: This test is specifically used to detect the recurrence of Dengue in recovered patients. It is worth noting here that the subsequent cases of Dengue can be more debilitating than the first one, which is why you must get tested again even after having recovered from the infection.

The cost of a Dengue test is anywhere between ₹250 to ₹600.

When it comes to Dengue treatment, you may have to shell out anywhere between ₹5,000 to ₹5,00,000, depending on the severity of the infection, the time of the diagnosis and the duration of treatment as well as your geographical location.

Since Dengue can lead to a high degree of dehydration, body ache, and fatigue, the primary course of Dengue treatment is the intake of fluids, prominently water, and pain-relieving medication. Most doctors are likely to advise you to rest and drink plenty of water to facilitate the quick passing of the fever.

A Dengue infection may last up to two weeks, and in most cases, a stay-at-home treatment can suffice for a full recovery. However, in severe cases, there can be a substantial reduction of the platelet count as well as the blood pressure. In such instances, the affected individual would have to be hospitalised for treatment and recovery.

Should the patient's platelet count reduce significantly, a blood transfusion may be the only course of action to aid recovery from Dengue. Even after being discharged from the hospital, such patients must be monitored on a periodical basis to detect the potential resurgence of the infection.

There is no specific medicine or injection to cure Dengue fever, and the only way to recover is to hydrate yourself and have adequate rest. Certain home remedies can also expedite the recovery process.

Some of the common home remedies for Dengue treatment are as follows:

1. Juices galore: In addition to drinking lots of water on a regular basis, you must also intake fresh fruit juices and coconut water to recover from Dengue. Amongst the best home remedies for Dengue treatment is drinking the extract of ground Papaya leaves that helps increase the platelet count.

2. The magic of Fenugreek: Fenugreek is a celebrated herb and has several medicinal uses. On the path to recovery from Dengue fever, you must drink the concoction of fenugreek seeds soaked in warm water. Doing so can cause the fever to wane.

3. Kiwi and Dragon Fruit: These fruits are commonly prescribed for Dengue patients. Kiwi helps with the platelet count. Dragon Fruit is rich in Vitamin C, which improves cellular immunity and helps prevent Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. It also helps in boosting haemoglobin.

4. Neem leaves to the rescue: Another popular home remedy for Dengue treatment is drinking the concoction of neem leaves soaked in water.

Although home remedies can help you recover from Dengue, they are by no means a replacement for medical Dengue treatment, particularly in extreme cases of Dengue.

In the case of Dengue, the old adage of 'Prevention is better than cure' must be amended to 'Prevention is the cure'.
Since the infection is spread through mosquitoes, protecting yourself from mosquitoes can help you stay safe from Dengue. Here are some of the easiest approaches to Dengue prevention:

1. Cover up before stepping out: During Dengue season (monsoon months) or a Dengue outbreak, you must be mindful to cover every part of your body before stepping out in an open space. You can protect yourself by using clothing such as socks, gloves, scarves, etc.
2. Use protective gear: In addition to making your clothes your shield against Dengue, you must also resort to protective gear such as mosquito repellants. Doing so can reduce the access mosquitos may have to any part of your body, thereby reducing the chances of a Dengue infection.
3. Invest in mosquito shields and nets: You are not safe from Dengue even at home. In order to make your home safe from mosquitoes, you must install mosquito nets and screens on doors and windows. In addition to this, all the entry points to your house should be kept closed, except when they are being used, to prevent the entry of mosquitoes.
4. Use contraception: One of the ways that Dengue can be transmitted is through sexual intercourse. Using contraception is, therefore, an important line of defence against viral infection.

Even if you take all the possible precautions to prevent Dengue, you cannot be fully protected against the viral infection. What you can do, however, is buy a health insurance plan and create a financial safety net around yourself.

With the ever-rising rate of medical inflation in India, it is imperative that you invest in Dengue Health Insurance. Here are some of the prominent reasons why buying medical insurance is an excellent decision.

1. It prepares you for medical expenses: The main reason why you ought to waste no time in buying a suitable health insurance plan is that it provides you coverage against a host of diseases and accidents. This way, your health and medical treatments need not be stalled due to any paucity of funds.

2. It gives you access to cashless treatments: One of the best benefits of modern-day health insurance plans is access to cashless insurance. Even if you do not have the funds required to pay your medical bills, you can still get the requisite treatment at a network hospital. With a 7,000-strong network of hospitals across the nation, Tata AIG can be the right choice as your health insurance partner.

3. It protects your savings: Your hard-earned money and carefully amassed savings are sacrosanct, which is why any medical exigency should not be allowed to deplete them. With the coverage of a medical insurance plan, you can keep your savings safe and secured for their intended use.

4. It helps you save tax: Not only does medical insurance serve as your financial shield in the wake of accidents and a wide array of diseases, but it also reduces your tax liability. There are several health insurance tax benefits available under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

5. It enhances your peace of mind: No amount of riches can rival the elixir of peace of mind, and that is precisely what health insurance gives you. Even if you get diagnosed with any disease (that is covered under the policy), you do not have to lose sleep over the cost of the treatment. The safety net of a health insurance policy can aid a speedy recovery.

If you are looking to purchase a health insurance policy, then you must opt for Tata AIG. Not only do we have excellent plans with wide coverage, but our network of cashless hospitals is also vast. You can choose from our wide range of plans, including our MediCare plans and MediCare Plus, which is a super top-up health insurance plan.

Buying a health insurance plan from Tata AIG is extremely seamless, irrespective of whether you choose the online mode of purchase or the offline one.

Online mode of purchase:

1. Visit the Health Insurance page on our official website.
2. Select the intended beneficiaries of the plan, which can be self, spouse, children, parents, or any combination of these.
3. Click on 'Get Plan' to proceed.
4. Enter the requested personal details of the beneficiaries.
5. Choose from the list of the plans suggested by us.
6. Select the desired sum insured from the drop-down menu.
7. Click on 'Get Quote' to get an instantaneous premium quote for the selected plan and sum insured.
8. Repeat the above process for various Tata AIG health insurance plans, compare premiums quotes and coverage, and select the plan most suited for yourself.
9. Click on 'Buy Now' and complete the purchase process.

After the successful purchase of a Tata AIG health insurance policy, a copy of the policy document shall be delivered to your mailbox and WhatsApp inbox. A physical copy of the policy shall be sent to your registered address in due course.

Offline mode of purchase:

1. Find the Tata AIG branch closest to your location with the help of our Branch Locator.
2. Visit the selected branch on a working day and request the purchase of medical insurance.
3. Our team of insurance experts will help you with the plan details, premium, and purchase process. You can feel free to ask them any of your queries vis-a-vis the plans.
4. Select a health insurance plan that is in line with your insurance needs and budget.
5. Fill out the application form for the selected plan.
6. Furnish copies of the required supporting documents and submit the duly signed form.
7. Make the payment of the plan premium to complete the purchase process.

Once we have verified all the supporting documents enclosed with your application, we shall issue your health insurance policy and send a copy of the same to your email address and physical address alike.

In order to buy a Tata AIG Health Insurance Plan, you must keep the following documents ready:

1. Proof of Address
2. Proof of Identity
3. Proof of Income
4. Proof of Age
5. Recent passport-sized photographs
6. Documents pertaining to your medical history, if any
7. Any other material documents